Mountain Biking - What Bike?

Ok a little History first. I was the one to teach myself to ride a bike when I was about 3. And from then I rode BMX hardcore up until about 5 to 6 years (im 22) ago. Then I just couldnt afford all the broken parts and injuries. I used to ride dirt bike a lot too. I have been riding my CBR in the canyons for over 3 years now. I have had much experience on 2 wheels. Now I want to get into the last option on 2 wheels. I dont know to much about parts and bikes for the mountain. So thats why im here. I cant really spend a G right now. I looking to get a decent bike that I can just upgrade. I dont really want it to be that heavy (at least the frame). So pretty much im just looking for a decent frame with ok parts till I can aford to get better ones. Dont for get the bike might see some abuse once I get my confedence up again (per the BMX experience). What do you think about the Ram 1.0 `04 ($525)? They also have a better verison Ram 2.0 `04 ($100 more). I dont know if its worth the $100 more. Here is the Specs for the 1.0.

Sizes Small, Medium, Large
Colors Satin Black/Red
Frame Atomic 13 FS Aluminum w/ Tuff Rear Shock Mountain AT (3" or 4" Travel)
Fork SR XCP-75 100mm Travel
Headset Cane Creek Zero Stack
Crankset Shimano M440 22/32/44t
Bottom Bracket Sealed Cartridge
F. Derailleur Shimano LX
R. Derailleur Shimano LX
Shift Lever Shimano Deore
Cog Set Shimano Cassette 11/32t 9spd
Chain SRAM PC-49
Hubset Shimano M475 Disc
Spokes 14g Stainless Steel
Rims Alex DM-18 Double Wall Machined Sides 32h
Tires WTB Velociraptor 2.1
Brakes Shimano M475 Mechanical Disc
Brake Levers See Shifters
Pedals ATB w/Clips and Straps
Handlebar Alloy 30mm Rise
Grips WTB Technical Trail
Stem Alloy OS Threadless 25°
Seatpost Alloy Micro Adjust 27.2 x 300mm
Saddle WTB SST-X
Extras Water Bottle Mounts, CatEye Reflector Set, Clear Coat, Owner’s Manual
Weight 34.5 lbs.


http://www.raleighusa.com/images/items/mtnat/full/04Ral_Ram10RED-f.jpg

Here is the 2.0
Sizes 16", 18", 20"
Colors Gloss Silver/Black
Frame 6061 Atomic 13 Aluminum RAM w/ Coil Rear Shock
Fork RockShox Judy TT, 100mm Travel
Headset WTB Zero Stack
Crankset Shimano M440 22/32/44t
Bottom Bracket Sealed Cartridge
F. Derailleur Shimano Deore
R. Derailleur Shimano Deore
Shift Lever Shimano Deore
Cog Set Shimano Cassette 11/32t 9spd
Chain SRAM PC-49
Hubset Alloy Disc
Spokes 14g Stainless Steel
Rims Alex DM-18 Double Wall 32h
Tires WTB Motoraptor 2.4
Brakes Tektro IO Mech Disc
Brake Levers Tektro Alloy Adjustable
Pedals ATB Mtn Platform
Handlebar Alloy 30mm Rise
Grips WTB Grip
Stem Alloy OS Threadless 15° 4-Bolt
Seatpost Alloy Micro Adjust 27.2 x 350mm
Saddle WTB Speed V
Extras Water Bottle Mounts, CatEye Reflector Set, Clear Coat, Owner’s Manual
Weight 34.5 lbs.
http://www.raleighusa.com/images/items/mtnat/full/04Ral_Ram20BLK-f.jpg

Thanks for your in put, Matt.

My suggestion for you is to get a freeride hardtail (no rear suspension). Since you're an old BMXer (me too!), you'll appreciate the strength of the HT and it'll cost a heck of a lot less. Full suspension bikes under $1000, are NO DEAL! They have cheap parts, or cheap suspension and weigh a TON!

I would suggest a bike like the Specialized P.2, the Haro Escape 8.3, Most of Kona's Bikes, and so many others now.

L8R

Originally posted by a2psyklnut
My suggestion for you is to get a freeride hardtail (no rear suspension). Since you're an old BMXer (me too!), you'll appreciate the strength of the HT and it'll cost a heck of a lot less. Full suspension bikes under $1000, are NO DEAL! They have cheap parts, or cheap suspension and weigh a TON!

I would suggest a bike like the Specialized P.2, the Haro Escape 8.3, Most of Kona's Bikes, and so many others now.

L8R

Agreed. Dualies with disc brakes under $1000? No thanks!

a2's suggestions are good... but what sort of riding are you looking at? Freeride? Cross-country? Downhill? Makes a big difference to the sort of frame geometry you'll be wanting.

Specialized have strong frames and reaonable parts... look into them and kona also have sum nice rigs :)

Just re-read your post and see you intend to give the frame a bit of abuse....

a2's suggestions are spot on. :beer:

I guess freeride and some downhill. But wouldnt I want the suspenison for the abuse. To suck up some of the energy when jumping it.

Are those bikes listed above ****? Its seems like most of the parts are decent. And the Ram 2.0 seems pretty good with the parts it has listed. Well if anything at all, is the frame at least decent to upgrade. I could always change the shock and other stuff. But I want to be able to shave weight off. I know that the FS are pretty heavy.


Thanks, Matt.

the frames and shocks on those bikes along with most of the components are not going to hold up under any type of abuse. Seriously, if you cant spend the $$$ for a good FS do what A2 said and get a freeride hard tail. I could probably destroy both of the bikes you posted in a single ride, that is if i could get it off the ground. You can't freeride on those bikes, they aren't ment for it.

edit: I just looked over the component specs on those bikes again and I havnt even heard of most of that stuff. No name coil shock, generic BB, Alex rims (WTF??? :confused: ) and posibly the worst fork on the market the Judy TT.

Dont waste your hard earned money on this stuff as it will all need to be replaced in the first month you own the bike. I doubt you could even get a different rear shock for that frame anyway, which basically means if you break it the bike is toast. If this happens, you couldnt even salvage the components because they're complete junk.

The frame will not, IMHO, be worth upgrading in the future. Try and freeride on it and it won't even have much of a future :D. By the time you've changed the shock and most of the other components (the front derailleur will probably be sufficient for a while, and the seat and chain will probably last a while, but everything else is pretty low-rent) you'll wish you'd spent a few more weeks/months saving up and buying a better bike initially.

If you drop these bikes off anything more than a standard curb you're bound to do some major damage (e.g. shocks, frame, wheelsets). These bikes are intended for light xc use at the most, but better suited to cruising around the 'hood. For how you intend to ride you'll do much better with a hardtail. Save up $1500 and a dualie might be a goer...

does the 2.0 look like a WORSE bike to anyone else???

coming out of the bmx world, i think your gonna appreciate a frame that has a sloping design. Many companies employ this design nowadays.

I agree...the 2.0 looks pretty back...but then again looks like the trek fuel's.....weird :confused:

Only bike I know anything about that was mentioned is the Haro Escape 3.0.

I have the Haro Xtreme 3.0 which is the exact same bike, just full suspension. I love the thing. And if you were in the market for a hardtail, I couldn't think of a better bike for the money than the Escape series. definately check them out.

Damn cant get my mind off the FS. How about this: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp. I check it out at my LBS and there asking $800. Here is some specs:

FRAME Specialized FSR technology, A1 Premium Aluminum butted frame, full sealed cartridge bearing pivots, disc compatible, disc and rim brake cable routing, 75-90mm adjustable travel, replaceable derailleur hanger, two sets of water bottle bosses

REAR SHOCK Fox Float R, air spring and rebound adj., 6.0x1.25"

FORK Manitou Axel Super, 100 travel, rebound adj., alloy steerer

HEADSET 1 1/8" threadless, black steel cups, loose ball bearings w/ seals

STEM Aluminum, 10 degree rise, TIG welded, black

HANDLEBARS XC mid rise bar, butted 6061 alloy, 6 degrees upsweep, 9 degrees backsweep, 610mm width

TAPE / GRIPS Specialized MTB grip, black, double density Kraton

FRONT BRAKE Shimano M-420 linear pull

REAR BRAKE Shimano M-420 linear pull

BRAKE LEVERS Avid AD-3, black

FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano M-510 Deore, 34.9mm clamp, top pull

REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano M-570 LX

SHIFT LEVERS Shimano M-510 Deore, 9 speed

CASSETTE Shimano HG-50 LX, 11/34

CHAIN Shimano HG-53

CRANKSET Specialized Strongarm II, square taper

CHAINRINGS 44Ax32Sx22S, 4 bolt, 104/64mm pattern, steel chainring bolts

BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano UN-25, 68mm shell width, 113mm spindle length

PEDALS Shimano M-505 clipless

RIMS Mavic X139, 26", black, machined sidewalls

FRONT HUB Specialized disc, 32 hole, loose ball bearings, alloy Q/R

REAR HUB Shimano M-475 disc, 32 hole, loose ball bearings, alloy Q/R

SPOKES 1.8mm black stainless, brass nipples, 263/260mm front, 260/261mm rear

FRONT TIRE Specialized Roll-X 26 x 2.0", Kevlar bead

REAR TIRE Specialized Roll-X 26 x 2.0", Kevlar bead

TUBES Specialized, schraeder valve

SADDLE Specialized Body Geometry technology, steel rails

SEAT POST Alloy, black, 30.9 x 350/400mm

SEAT BINDER Alloy collar with Q/R, 34.9mm clamp I.D., black

NOTES Chain stay/seat stay protector, derailleur protector, reflectors, owners manual

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2003/bikes/rhfsrcmp_wht_l.jpg

Thanks, Matt.

now that is a bike I can go for. I have an 02 fsr comp, same suspension, just different components. I say go for it

Hands down a MUCH better bike than the Raleigh. HOWEVER, this bike is designed and intended for XC use. Which is about what 90% of riders ride. However, being an EX-BMXer, you will probably want to jump and be more abusive. This bike will handle most of it, but you'll find yourself replacing rims, and other stuff as they break. Don't get me wrong, it's a solid well built, well designed bike. Just don't start dropping and jumping gaps with it!

L8R

SNiPER,

I would have to agree with a2psyklnut. I am finding out the hard way that my Stumpjumper FSR can't handle the jumping and dropping I want to do 4-6'. I'm probably going to buy an Enduro SX frame and see if my LBS will accept my Stumpjumper FSR frame as a trade in... If I were you I'd stick with a Hardtail unless you're willing to spend about $1600.00 to get something that can handle everything you'd want to do. Good luck!

Hey Oxygen, why not sell Sniper your bike!

L8R

Haha, yeah... I would, but I know it wouldn't handle what he wants to do... plus I could only sell him a frame and I'm sure he wants a full bike...

SNiPER,

If you are interested, I could sell you the frame for $400.00 (that includes the Thompson setback seatpost and Fox Float RL shock. Probably not what you need though.

I loved to help you out, but if I just bought a frame, I would get something that I know would last, and put a **** load of light parts on it. Thanks for the offer. Isnt the frame under like a life time warranty. I hear what you guys are saying about hardtails, but I just can get the FS out of my head. Plus for some reason I think the rim would last longer on a FS than a hard tail, from doing big drops. Just because the shock would suck some of it up. Oh well I guess its only money, and nothing last for ever. Thanks for the help and I seen what happens soon.

Matt. Oh and here is me when I was 14 bunnyhopping a recycle bin on end. For real I was no joke. It really is high as its looks. The bin is about 3 feet high.

2 words:

Cove Stiffee!

UH, whats that.

Matt

Originally posted by SNiPER
The bin is about 3 feet high.


you being 3 feet up i can believe... but the bin being 3 feet? judging by the picture, that'd mean you're like over 9 feet tall.

Yea my head problay is about that high (9 feet). Whats hard to believe about that.

Matt

Originally posted by SNiPER
Yea my head problay is about that high (9 feet). Whats hard to believe about that.

Matt

no, you misunderstand.

i said you being 3' up - meaning the height from the ground to the bottom of your tire - i could believe.

you said the bin is 3' high... if the bin itself is 3' high (from the ground to the top of the bin), that would make you over 9' tall (meaning your actual height while standing - that's using the 3' bin as a reference).

Nope, don't see it.

Look at it this way. His wheels are 20" BMX wheels. The bin is at least 12 -15 inches taller than the wheels. So, I could easily accept the bin is 3' tall. He's just all hunched over!

L8R

Well what ever it is, I think its pretty damn high, for no ramp. The bin is problay more like 2 and half ft.. I can go mesure it if you like.

Matt

Well if it helps im 6ft tall.

Matt

Hey Sniper, when I said Nope, I was referring to rasheed, not NOT believing you. I've seen guys bunny hop onto picnic tables, my buddy an ex-Pro BMXer had the bunny hop record at one time. He could easily clear my handlebars on my 24" cruiser.

L8R

Nah I wasnt talking to you dude. I could get up on tables too no prob. I used to get up there, I havent tried in a long time. I never went Pro though. Not enough $ for broken parts, and injuries.

Matt

True! I raced, but whenever I got in great shape and was getting really fast, I'd get hurt and have to take time off the bike. Ugly vicious cycle! Train, race, finish mid-pack, train harder, start finishing top 3, break a bone, 6 weeks off the bike, start-over!

My personal best was #10 in the state, then got hurt and finished out of the top 20 for the year!

L8R

Originally posted by SNiPER
UH, whats that.

Matt

Rated one of the best hardtail frames on the planet!

http://www.covebike.com/my_files/fr_main.jpg

Originally posted by SNiPER
I think its pretty damn high, for no ramp. The bin is problay more like 2 and half ft..

Well if it helps im 6ft tall.


that sounds a lot more believable.

and yes it is high. i wasn't questioning whether you could get that high or not... just that the height of the bin being 3' didn't sound right. 2-2.5' does...